Pawtuckaway State Park

7 Pawtuckaway Road
Nottingham, NH 03290
Phone: 603-895-3031

Activities and Amenities

Camping

Pawtuckaway State Park offers a variety of landscapes, with something to do and see for everyone. The park includes a large family beach on the lake. There are many opportunities for hiking, with trails leading to many special points of interest, including a mountaintop fire tower; an extensive marsh where beavers, deer, and great blue herons may be seen, and a geologically unique field where large boulders called glacial erratics were deposited when glacial ice melted near the end of the Ice Age.
Pawtuckaway Trail Map
Pawtuckaway Trail Information

Alcohol is prohibited at the Pawtuckaway State Park Beach Area.

Beach Policy: The Pawtuckaway State Park beach area often reaches capacity in the morning hours on weekends and holidays and once it reaches capacity the beach will be closed to additional visitors to ensure the safety of our visitors. A list of New Hampshire State Park swimming locations is posted here; Kingston State Park and Bear Brook State Park are both approximately a half-hour from Pawtuckaway State Park.

Operating Schedule

Please Note: Dates and times are weather dependent and subject to change without notice. For up to date hours, please call the park directly. The park is always open for recreation unless otherwise posted. During off hours and the off-season the park is typically not staffed, comfort stations are not available and gates may be closed. The iron ranger is available in the front of the office to accept required fees and any donations, when the park is not staffed.

Fee	Full Time	Operating Hours	Unstaffed
Adults: $5 Children (6-11): $2	5/1-10/31	Daily: 8am-7pm	10/31

The off-season poses unique risks inherent when participating in outdoor recreational activities. Please be aware that many State Park areas and trail are not staffed during the off-season. Recreationists should possess the necessary knowledge, skill, and equipment to ensure their own safety. Users assume all risk while recreating in State Park lands.

Fees

Admission is $5 for adults; $2 for children ages 6-11; children ages 5 and under, NH residents ages 65 and older with a valid ID are admitted for free; season passes are also available. When the park is unstaffed during the off-season, donations are accepted through the day-use iron ranger.

Boat Rentals	Per Hour	Half Day	Full Day	Two Day
Tandem Kayaks, Canoes, & Paddleboards	$20	$50	$85	$150
Single Kayaks	$15	$50	$85	$150
Kids Kayaks	$10	$50	$85	$150

Forest Management at the Park

A forest management operation was conducted at the park this winter by the Division of Forests and Lands and is part of the routine and ongoing forest management and wildlife habitat management that occurs on nearly all State Forests and State Parks. The project went through an extensive review process and a detailed planning report was prepared. Management objectives include; create small groups and openings to develop regeneration within treatment area. Favor the establishment of white pine regeneration in the openings, and in the remaining areas focus on the release of quality sawlog trees to improve mast, seed production and growth. Goals also include the protection of identified historical resources, maintain riparian management zones, and manage for specific wildlife features. In addition to the scheduled forest management, the Division of Parks and Recreation requested the removal of roadside vegetation. The roadside trees were shading the pavement and crowding the road causing limbs to brush the tops of delivery trucks and campers. The added sun on the road will keep it dry lessening maintenance and extending the life span of the asphalt. Over the next few years as additional forest management takes place roadway cutting may continue.

Discover the Power of Parks Programming

Interpretive, nature-based programs will be offered at Pawtuckaway State Park all summer long as part of the Discover Power of Parks. Programs will be presented by our SCA Interpretive Rangers in the park each week. Check out the Pawtuckaway program schedule for more information. All programs are free with paid park admission. No pre-registration is required.

Camping at Pawtuckaway State Park

Pawtuckaway State Park Campground lines the shore of beautiful Pawtuckaway Lake. The 192 sites are wooded and many provide views of the lake. Each campsite has an open fire ring, picnic table, flat areas for a tent, and a parking space. The bathhouses are equipped with running water, flush toilets, and 24 hour showers. There are no hook-ups at any of the campsites. The park also has a camp store where canoe and kayak rentals are available, as well as a public canoe and kayak launch. Five cabins are available; each sleeps six people, has electricity, and includes a fire ring and picnic table. Pets are not allowed in the campground or beach area of the park. Reservations made be made online through ReserveAmerica or by calling ReserveAmerica at 1-877-647-2757. Reservations for organized groups camping are required and should be made by calling ReserveAmerica at 1-877-647-2757. Pawtuckaway Campground Map / Pawtuckaway Campground Information/Policies

Camping is allowed at Pawtuckaway State Park from May 1 through October 31.

Fees for campsites cover two adults and are $25 on Big Island inland sites and $30 on all other sites. There is a $10 fee per night for each extra adult, this fee will be paid at the park upon check-in. Campsites are limited to 5 adults, except on designated family campsites and in the cabins. Cabins are $65 per night.

Onsite check-in is required at Office during the Main Season, which runs from the Friday before Memorial Day to in May through Labor Day in September, and at other times when the park is staffed.

Office Hours:

Before Memorial Day (May 2nd - May 25th)	Friday 9am-9pm Saturday 9am-8pm Sunday 9am-7pm
Main Season	Sunday-Thursday 8:30am-8pm Friday-Saturday 8:30am-9pm
After Labor Day (Sept 1st - Sept 30th)	Monday-Thursday 8:30am-6pm Friday 8:30am-9pm Saturday 8:30am-8pm Sunday 8:30am-7pm
October Hours	Sunday-Thursday 9am-5pm Friday-Saturday 8:30am-8pm

The main operating season for the campground is Memorial Day to Columbus Day. Outside of the main camping season, (early spring and late fall) Staffing, services, and facilities may be limited during this time. Please use iron ranger (self-service pay station) to make payment.

*Cabins: Weekly reservations are from Saturday to Saturday check with the campground office for walk-in options. The fee covers one to six people, with a maximum of six people per yurt/cabin.

Planning an Outing?

Pawtuckaway State Park is a great location to hold a family reunion, corporate outing, wedding, and more. For more information, check out our Outings in State Parks page and see a complete listing and photos of all our State Park Pavilions and Group Use Areas.

Are pets allowed at Pawtuckaway State Park?

Pets are welcome on the hiking trails through Reservation Road and Round Pond Road year-round. Pets are NOT permitted through the main gate and into the campground or beach area from May 1st through September 30th. They are welcome through the main gate for hiking from October 1st through April 30st, and are welcome for camping October 1st-31st. Pets are not allowed at the beach or picnic areas. See the NH State Parks Pets Policy for more information.

See the NH State Parks Pets Policy for more information.

Keep Your Parks Clean

Through the Carry-In/Carry-Out Program, you can help us keep your parks clean and beautiful by carrying out whatever you carry in. Thank you for your cooperation and remember to recycle.

Beach Advisories

For listings of current advisories, please visit the State of New Hampshire, Department of Environmental Services Beach Advisories website page.

Access for Persons with Disabilities

Please contact the park office directly for information regarding disability access needs.

Additional Resources/Information

Pawtuckaway Trail Map

Pawtuckaway Trail Information

Pawtuckaway Campground Map

Visiting New Hampshire's Biodiversity: Pawtuckaway State Park
NEMBA's Places to Ride at Pawtuckaway State Park